Male Veterinarian Appointed Acting Director of Women's Health, FDA

[Rose Siding]

Symbolic of the importance the Bush Administration places on women's health, a male veterinarian has been appointed by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Lester Crawford as acting director of the Office of Women's Health. Norris E. Alderson, PhD, has spent the majority of his career at the FDA holding various positions in the Center for Veterinary Medicine.

The Office for Women’s Health, which ensures that the FDA remains gender sensitive and monitors the progress of women’s health initiatives, was most recently headed by Dr. Susan Wood. Wood resigned late last month in protest over the FDA’s refusal to grant over-the-counter status to emergency contraception.

http://www.msmagazine.com/news/uswirestory.asp?ID=9276

more
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/portal/files/portal/media/pressreleases/pr-050916-fda.xml

[MelissaB]

1. How can this possibly be true?

:shrug:

[IndyJones]

22. I don't think it is true.

[kittenpants]

36. did you look at the links?

unfortunately it looks like it is true!

[IndyJones]

41. Yes, I did, then went to the FDA site and it has someone else named.

Maybe they changed their minds????

[MountainLaurel]

49. You must be looking at a different FDA

Because this page, for the Office of Women's Health, definitely lists Toigo as the acting head.

http://www.fda.gov/womens/programs.html

[JABBS]

129. agreed

I think the press release from planned parenthood is either a fake, or was premature.

[ecoflame]

138. I found this ....

I don't think the PP is necessarily wrong.

Found this on US Dept of Health & Human Services
http://www.4woman.gov/owh/dhhs.htm

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Dr. Norris Alderson
Acting Director, Office of Women's Health
Associate Commissioner for Science
Food and Drug Administration
Parklawn Building, Room 14C06
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
301-827-3340 phone
301-827-3042 fax
E-mail: [e-mail]

[nadinbrzezinski]

40. it is true

they love us, like horses and doggies

[TaleWgnDg]

146. (1) It is true, and (2) here's Norris Alderson's bio . . .

(1) It is true, and (2) here's Norris Alderson's bio as Alderson submitted it to Sanford Law School for a speaking engagement re Law and Technology, The Bay Area Law School Technology Conference, April 9, 2005, Fair Use in the 21st Century:
.

Norris Alderson, Associate Commissioner for Science, FDA

Norris Alderson received a B.S. in Animal Husbandry from the University of Tennessee and a M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky. He joined the FDA in 1971 as a reviewer in the Bureau of Veterinary Medicine (BVM). Beginning in 1980, he held a number of management positions in the BVM research organization culminating in the position of Director, Office of Research, Center for Veterinary Medicine, a position he held from 1988 to 2001. In July 2001, he became Acting Senior Advisor for Science, FDA, and Acting Director, Office of Science Coordination and Communication, responsible for the Office of Good Clinical Practice, the Counter Terrorism Staff, and the Science Coordination and Communication Staff. In May 2002, he was appointed Senior Associate Commissioner for Science, FDA and Director, Office of Science and Health Coordination. In November 2002, the position title was changed to Associate Commissioner for Science. In this position, his responsibilities include the Office of Orphan Products Development, the Office of Women's Health, the Office of Good Clinical Practice, the Science Coordination Staff, and standards coordination. Dr. Alderson retired from the U.S. Army Reserve in 1997 with the rank of Colonel.

http://slata.stanford.edu/Conference05/speakers.htm

BTW, are you aware that veterinary school is damn tough? And I mean damn tough. Some folks say that veterinary school is HARDER than medical school. Why is that so? Because medical school teaches the anatomy of only one species, i.e., humans, and the medical science thereof. However, veterinary school teaches about the rest of the animals on the planet -- all that memorization!

However, that is not to say that an D.V.M. (doctorate of veterinary medicine) should run, temporary or permanent, the F.D.A. women's sector. No way! It only means that no one should degrade vets, period.
.

[MichiganVote]

2. Well what's new? Another Bush "gift" to women

[greatauntoftriplets]

3. What to hell are we????

Cattle or dogs???

[MADem]

75. I guess the administration regards women as mad cows n/t

[Occulus]

77. Randy bitches, maybe?

I sincerely apologize if that comment caused offense, but damn.

Just....... damn.

[MADem]

78. This administration is tone deaf

They just don't care how things APPEAR to the average person. It's all about their power, their cronies....and they fail to see any insult to anyone.

It wouldn't matter if this vet was the best administrator in the world, the idea they project is that women are LESS THAN with this appointment.

[femrap]

119. Just less than?....

The message from W and Karl is that women are nothing more than brood mares....or incubators....I hope those 2 get prostates so big they pop!

[Pirate Smile]

4. OK. How much money has this guy given to the Republicans? Why

are they giving him this job that he is inappropriate to hold?

These dick-heads piss me off to no end.

How dumb of us (me) to think (hope) that the Brownie fiasco might teach them something!

[JAbuchan08]

5. A VETRINARIAN?!?!

:wtf: uh... ... :wtf:?

[Synnical]

24. My initial response as well!

[MountainLaurel]

50. The FDA director is a DVM as well

Not sure if it's because most drug research is performed on animals.

[kestrel91316]

52. First of all, it's "veterinarian". If you are going to INSULT us, please

at least do it with correct spelling.

Veterinarians are doctors. We hold a doctoral degree NO DIFFERENT than a physician's. All the slackers go to medical school because there are so many of them and it's so easy to get in. Veterinary school is only for the cream of the crop, because there are so few, and it is HIGHLY competitive. I have, on several occasions in my practice life, had a (male) physician confide in me that he really wanted to become a vet, but couldn't get into vet school. I know of NOT ONE veterinarian who really wanted to be a physician but couldn't get into medical school. So enough with sneering at us lowly, stupid veterinarians, ok?

Physicians are only trained in human medicine. We vets know how to take care of all the other species on the planet. Who do you think knows more?

[wickerwoman]

62. I don't think the WTF means

that vets are inferior to MDs. I think the point is WTF does a vet know about (human) women's health issues? And I think the answer is less than, say, a gynocologist.

[kestrel91316]

65. A vet knows about EVERYBODY ELSE'S gynecological issues.

It's not very difficult to add one more species to the internal database in a vet's head.

These folks are researchers and this is an administrative position. They don't have to be a practicing gynecologist, for pete's sake. They just have to have comprehensive midical knowledge and the ability to learn.

[LisaL]

83. Terrific.

All of us humans should start going to the vets for treatment. No offense, but you won't even be allowed to treat humans.

[buff2]

68. That's good to know

The next time I need to take my dog to the vet,I'll make an appointment for myself too. (We are both bitches) so we can both get a pap smear and a mammogram together. :evilgrin:

[kestrel91316]

72. You laugh. People are forever asking me about how to deal with their

own minor medical problems, especially skin stuff. And I had a total stranger come in one day and ask me to take a skin stitch out of his head leftover from 5 years before, that he was starting to be annoyed by!

[fortyfeetunder]

74. Oh, that is too funny!

But you gotta agree, one-stop medical care!
:rofl:

[progressivebydesign]

100. No offense to veterinarians... but you are not trained in women's health.

I agree that you are schooled in all species, but a women's health director should actually have experience IN the realm of women's health issues. Have you prescribed birth control to human females? Have you attended lots of conferences and extended training in human female health issues as a professional? I know from my neighbor, who is a pediatrician, that those who couldnt' get into vet school went into human medicine. Your profession is a demanding one. But.. the point is that the director of women's health should have experience in that field. Just as I would not want a position dealing with the health of my pets to be a gynocologist.

[JAbuchan08]

104. Sorry for not spell checking

:eyes: I just think that a women's health specialist should be placed in this position. I realize how difficult it is to complete a vetrinary degree. I know several people who have tried - and failed.
But a veterinarian should NOT be in this position, even if their knowledge is interdisciplinary they are NOT specialists in women's health. Frankly I feel that someone who has spent a career working with animals (no matter what their education) is not qualified for a position like this.

[nonconformist]

113. So basically... vets RULE and physicians DROOL? nt

[Thtwudbeme]

118. "We vets know how to take care of all the other species on the planet."

Sounds like you flunked zoolology, and possibly biology 101.

better get back to school fast, friend!

[femrap]

121. You are insulted??????????

Maybe you need to work on your 'bedside manner' a bit when treating your female patients....geez.

Get some empathy and stop the self-absorption for a second, ok?

At least it would have been nice to have a female vet appointed...

[MockSwede]

142. Hear, Hear!

I'd rather hang out with the vet's clientele, anyway. Not a bunch of Yahoos - and look up the first use of that with Jonathan Swift and "Gulliver's Travels". It's the 'animals' that are humane.

You can sheep dip me anytime.

Just keep that Burdizzo away from me, I'm already fixed!

[Modem Butterfly]

152. ROFLMAO!

I don't mean to laugh at your expense, but I have this image of taking my Chow to the vet so both of us can get our pap smears at the same time.

"Ms. Butterfly, everything is normal, except you seem to have fewer than the usual number of teats,"

Vets study hard and perform an invaluable service. But I didn't take my Chow to the Ob-Gyn to get spayed and I'm not going to her vet for my annual exam. The two specialities are really very different.

[nashville_brook]

6. shows you what they think of us -- bitches!

[TomInTib]

7. Take that....bitches. God the nerve of these guys. n/t

[AlCzervik]

8. ok, my thread doesn't seem to far out now.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4799705&mesg_id=4799705

[Minimus]

9. bush's followers are sheep but this is crosses the line

[kestrel91316]

53. See my above post (this vet is on the warpath).

[libnnc]

10. nice, really nice...

can't make this stuff up can you? :banghead:

[wellstone_democrat]

11. What? Concerned Laura isn't "helping" women in the US

by "influencing" her idiot husband? Gee, what a surprise.

Women need medical treatment? Nah, any healthy woman can give birth in a field and get up and start plowing again. They die? Get another.
This "friday newsdump" is meant to be an insult---sure, they will laugh and say "its temporary, its administrative" but what it really is is exactly what it looks like: Women, you are no better than livestock in the scheme of things.

[Lars39]

23. And just let some patriarchal fundy sob say the word submissive

in my hearing... :nuke: :grr: :mad:

[barbaraann]

88. Livestock - the key word regarding the position of women in patriarchies.

n/t

[Suich]

12. Is this the same guy who recommends certain Bible verses

for PMS?

[wellstone_democrat]

15. no, that was the last insult---ya gotta keep up

this is the latest

Prayer and the same treatment you'd give a cow. That's all women need. They are expendable. That's what the Bush clan believes

[kestrel91316]

54. No, dear, the insult is how you people are denigrating my profession.

See my above post.

[nonconformist]

111. Your profession is to treat animals.

I know that vets are trained in general medical knowledge. But you are NOT an expert in women's health. No physician is besides OB/GYN's. That's why there are medical *specialties*. Yours is for animals.

[JanMichael]

125. Vets...unless they specialize and become board certified...also do not

do internships or residencies.

This poster is making some fairly ridiculous claims to human medical knowledge, and should seriously consider her position on this matter.

[Callisto]

132. Even OB GYN's are not the best unless board certified!

Geez- I love my vet and I know my Vet is super educated and can care for like 500 different systems....I think that is fantastic. No offense to any Veterinarian..BUT I don't think any Vet would want another Vet to do open heart surgery on their newborn infant either- much less have the pres appoint one to do so. Holy crap is this true?The link isn't working..

[femrap]

123. you're self-absorption and ego are absolutely

mind boggling.....why don't you go 'talk to the animals' and leave us women/brood mares to our own health care. Un-f*cking-believable.....All women are insulted and this poster is on the warpath...

As a woman, don't you see the slap by the admin? Come on....

[President Kerry]

126. you mean they don't help??

This seems as great an idea as teaching intelling design. Did you hear of MS in Intelligent Design at Bob Jones University? :sarcasm:

[Lars39]

13. Thanks for posting this, Rose Siding.

[maine_raptor]

14. Well what do you expect from a guy that appointed

an ex Horse Show judge as head of FEMA?

:banghead:

[MelissaB]

19. I'd like to think he would learn from his mistake.

Does he ever?

[jobycom]

31. How can he, when he hasn't made any mistakes?

[maine_raptor]

33. Blockheads rarely do

Also doing the same thing over and over is the definition of insanity.

[RaleighNCDUer]

110. Actually, that's a definition of OCD.

It's doing something over and over and expecting different results that is a definition of insanity.

[TaleWgnDg]

147. No, George Walker Bush does not -- never -- make mistakes . . .

How can he? After all, George Walker Bush talks to God. How can God be wrong? Eh.


.

[Talismom]

16. Oh yes, this is just perfect! Nothing more need be said! n/t

[mike_c]

17. OMFG-- this is surreal....

You really can't make this shit up.

[IndyJones]

18. Theresa A. Toigo Is Appointed Acting Director of FDA's Office of Women's

Health

link...

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2005/toigoOWH.html

[Solly Mack]

25. It states that it's a revision from earlier

Maybe they had it incorrect earlier and now it's correct?

from the FDA link

"This is a revision of this statement posted earlier on September 16."

Thank you!


on edit: from Google http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=+Norris+E.+Alderson&btnG=Google+Search

-however, when you click the link, the page no longer exist. So I think it said one thing earlier and it's now changed.

Office ofWomen's Health--Norris E. Alderson
Office of Women's Health--Norris Alderson acting director.
origin.www.fda.gov/womens/alderson.html - 5k - 15 Sep 2005

[Rose Siding]

39. Also from the FDA site-

On the cached page, he's called the acting head of women's health:

Dr. Norris Alderson--Acting Director of FDA's Office of Women's Health
Norris E. Alderson, PhD
Associate Commissioner for Science
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Dr. Alderson began his career in FDA in 1971 following graduate and post-doctoral work at the University of Kentucky. The majority of his FDA career has been in the Center for Veterinary Medicine, holding a number of management positions, culminating in the position of Director, Office of Research. In 2001, he became Acting Senior Advisor for Science, and Acting Director, Office of Science Coordination and Communication. In 2002, he was appointed Senior Associate Commissioner for Science, and Director, Office of Science and Health Coordination. The title was later changed to Associate Commissioner for Science. In his current position, he is responsible for coordination of science issues across the agency, the Office of Womenís Health, Office of Orphan Products Development, the Good Clinical Practices Staff, and standards coordination.

http://google.fda.gov/search?q=cache:iX-NlZS4-n8:http://www.fda.gov/womens/alderson.html+Norris+Alderson&restrict=&site=FDA&output=xml_no_dtd&client=FDA&access=p&lr=&proxystylesheet=FDA&oe=

[IndyJones]

42. Guess they don't need another Brownie repeat.

[SoCalDem]

51. " Orphan Products Development".. Robert's latin american children?

:)

[orleans]

61. that's what i'm noticing too--the link not available & the cached

link showing this guy. what they heck are they up to?

[LeahD]

70. www.fda.gov's home page has this.....

FDA NEWS
Toigo Named Acting Head of Women's Health Office

FDA Releases Results of Study on Defibrillator and Pacemaker Malfunctions

Good Manufacturing Practices Rule for Radioactive PET Drugs Proposed

<snip>

You can click on the click for the article about her appointment.

[Pirate Smile]

20. We need to make sure the media is fully aware of this and reports it to

everyone.

Tie it to Brownie - the Bush Administration has learned NOTHING from Katrina.

[Solly Mack]

21. I'm not yelling yet (read this already in LBN)

I'm surprisingly calm...I just knew I'd be yelling once my lower jaw re-joined the rest of my face.

Perhaps I'm still stunned.

[txindy]

46. We're so numb after these past 4+ years, stunned is all we can manage

At times, that is. There are other times when I go full-out b*tshit crazy around the house. And I'm fine with that. :evilgrin:

[Elwood P Dowd]

26. Robert Blake appointed as Assistant Director.

:crazy:

[all.of.me]

27. that'll come in handy when i go into heat!!!!

[sandnsea]

28. Bush Answer To Affordable Healthcare!! n/t

[DELUSIONAL]

29. So females are just a bunch of BITCHES -- regardless of the species?

From day one the bushie bunch has had zero respect for women -- war on women was started day one of the bushie reign.

Now the bastard has made it official.

BITCHES of the world -- unite.

Katrina is a bitch who is going to take bushie down. His legacy? He is ****ing mother nature.

[IndyJones]

30. LMAO!!!

[kestrel91316]

55. Please stop with the insulting of veterinarians. I happen to know a whole

lot more about human health (hell, humans are just one MORE species; what's the big deal) than the average overspecialized physician. Some of the most ignorant, misinformed clients I have in my practice are the PHYSICIANS. If you were marooned on a desert island, trust me, you would want a vet with you any day of the week before you would want the average physician. We spend our days in the trenches, making do with guesswork half the time. We HAVE to be better than them. Any fool can diagnose and treat with enough technology and insurance money.

Done ranting.

[DELUSIONAL]

64. he is a MALE -- with zero specialty in WOMAN'S health issues

and you are correct about your assessment of many "Physicians" -- many have no idea of how to LISTEN or even treat women.


And I've found that female Veterinarians are better at diagnosing bitches.

[kestrel91316]

66. A female physician (ob/gyn) would obviously be best for the post. But

there is no need to insult veterinarians. We are on average WAY smarter than physicians.

[DELUSIONAL]

67. Most are -- but I go by my pet's opinion -- if they hate a VET

I go shopping for another one that they trust and like.

[Synnical]

79. Sending a shout of support to Kestrel

Before her head explodes. :loveya:

-Cindy in Fort Lauderdale

[CountAllVotes]

134. actually I agree with you

My veterianarian is far better than the doctor I go to. It's even in my medical record that I would not take my own dog to a certain doctor. They have it down as a "lack of confidence" rather than my concise statement. Enough said on that I suppose! :argh:

:kick:

[nonconformist]

115. If they would have named an ear/nose/throat specialist

to be the director of, I dunno, let's say dermatology, there would be mocking then too. It wouldn't be to degrade the validity of e/n/t specialists, it would be to point out that the person was NOT very qualified for that high ranking position. In this particular case, I'm sure you have to understand that it's even more preposterous than my lame analogy.

[sunnystarr]

32. Looks like Norris E. Alderson was let go before he started

seems like someone looked and said OOPS! This is really too funny.

[buff2]

34. OMG!!!!!

My head is about to explode from all the insanity coming from the idiot in thief. Is ANYONE going to stop him,or are we doomed to living in bu$h's insane asylum for another 3 damn years? When are we,the people going to pull together and rid this country of this cancer on society? "Male Veterinarian Appointed Acting Director of Women's Health, FDA"????? For Khrist's sake what is WRONG with the Democrats that they keep looking the other way while this incompetent bag of steaming shit is trying to KILL US ALL???? You know,I am so tired of being angry all the time,I am so tired of being upset,I am so tired of always having to rant everytime I post in a thread,but how in the hell can a person keep from it when you read what that fake SOB is doing next? I think I'm going to have to go to anger management classes....I can't take this shit anymore. :grr: :argh:
:rant:

[femrap]

124. I'm right there with you, buff2...

My shoulders are constantly up around my ears...I feel as if I could spit nails...If you find a good class, let me know.

Maybe taking up target practice or boxing would help????

[GraysonDave]

35. That's like something out of The Onion

Unbelievable.

[kitkat65]

37. Does this mean I get to bite my OBY-GYN if I don't like they way, oh

forget it!
:banghead:

[MADem]

76. Heh, heh

That was actually very clever!!!

[proud2BlibKansan]

82. It means you will be getting the best possible

flea and tick treatment.

[NervousRex]

38. Absolutely, positively...

fucking outrageous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am suffering from outrage fatigue, but this one fucking pisses me off!
It's loooooong past pitchfork and torch time..

[snot]

43. The last one I believed WAS an onion bit.

But this is REAL???

Someone needs to do a quiz for publication like in Shouts and Murmers or something--multiple choice, guess which item the * administration DIDn't do. I'm sure one could come up with at least a dozen questions, meaning 3 doz. ridiculous things the * administration DID do.

[AspenRose]

44. This is surreal...

I am hoping to wake up and realize this was all a bad dream and it's 2000 and Al Gore is president.

*sigh*

[KyndCulture]

45. OMFG

I have no words..


I don't have fleas goddammit..

I want to hit something right now, very hard.

I just sent this to Malloy.

[banana republican]

47. Just thinkig about all the COWS..eerr Women out there....n/t

on edit:

My wife will kill me if she finds out I posted this!!!

[orleans]

63. moo! n/t

[barb162]

48. I am speechless

[nonconformist]

56. I am, seriously, very OFFENDED by this.

:mad:

This is total bullshit and it speaks volumes.

[sakabatou]

57. "Sir, give this woman a fleabath!"

[Tsiyu]

58. Who could make this shit up?

Help. Us.

[kestrel91316]

59. When physicians were in charge of the FDA for years and

therefore in charge of veterinary public health, nobody thought that was strange. Now that a veterinarian (remember, WE VETS are the best and brightest) is in charge of the FDA everybody is having a hissy fit. This is just ignorant BS.

A research veterinarian is way better qualified to expand into the human field than a physician is to expand into the animal field. The physicians I know cannot seem to get into their tiny little brains that animals are not just small, furry people. We vets know that every species is different from every other species, sometimes in big ways, sometime small. That's why they are different species. Duh.

In other words, their minds are closed. Ours are open.

[DarleenMB]

69. not the same

Sorry kestrel9131 but I completely disagree with you that Veterinarians are "the same as" physicians. You hold a PhD in Vet medicine while physicians hold a Doctor of Medicine (or whatever the hell M.D. stands for).

don't get me wrong ... I worship the ground our Vet walks on. He is the kindest, most caring man and I trust him completely. With my pets. My own body is another story. I am not a horse, or a cow, or a ewe, a camel, a llama ... I walk on two legs. thank you very much.

Physicians (much as I HATE the medical community these days) have been trained to deal with human anatomy.

Vets are trained to work on the 4 legged variety which IS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT because our fur babies don't speak english. But that does not mean I'm happy that a VET is now in charge of women's health issues. Sorry. I DON'T LIKE IT.

[kestrel91316]

73. Dead wrong. I am not sure what planet you live on, but here on earth

in the good old US of A we veterinarians receive the degree: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. It is not a PhD. It is a MEDICAL DEGREE. I have very proudly right now managed to refrain from calling you a *******.

University of Michigan vets get a VMD (Veterinary Medical Doctor) degree. Same difference. WE ARE DOCTORS. YOU ARE IN ERROR.

We are not physicians.

[proud2BlibKansan]

84. I don't care what training you have

I prefer an MD who treats human mammals. For this 'management' position, some expertise in HUMAN female health care would seem to be a requirement.

No one is knocking vets. We just prefer to receive our health care from a doctor whose patients are just like us and not the 4 legged variety.

[kestrel91316]

93. So this person at the FDA is personally providing your health care?????

This person, regardless of gender and specifics of medical training, is a BUREAUCRAT and not in private practice.

Researchers and bureaucrats merge and mingle their areas of interest and expertise in the real world.

Plenty of people on DU knock vets. With considerable regularity, I might add.

[proud2BlibKansan]

117. They knock teachers too

So join the club.

There are also a lot more here who are supportive of my profession. I would suspect the same is true of yours.

Quit being so sensitive. Just stop and think about this for a minute. I am a woman and the thought of a vet in charge of my health care is offensive to me. Not because a vet is less capable than an OB/GYN, but because it is a VET and not an OB/GYN. It would be like putting me, an elementary teacher, in charge of a college physics program.

Your argument also holds no water. Mike Brown was also a bureaucrat and look at what happened to FEMA.

[DarleenMB]

85. get a grip

For crying out loud. You react to my post as if I called you (and all other vets) mindless morans. Did you miss the compliments??? So I called it wrong. BFD. You are an ANIMAL doctor and I still would not go to you or any other vet for my own health care. YOU DO NOT HAVE THE TRAINING.

Take a pill and call me in the morning.

[kestrel91316]

95. See post above. This is in reference to a BUREAUCRAT and researcher,

NOT YOUR PERSONAL PHYSICIAN.

Your personal medical care is, and should of course be, in the hands of a PHYSICIAN.

My personal preference is that the post be filled by an ob/gyn type research physician. But a veterinarian with years of experience in research/industry/government RATHER THAN PRIVATE PRACTICE could easily have the qualifications for the job.

[jono]

106. This BUREAUCRAT is in charge of WOMEN'S HEALTH

While I don't disagree that veterinarians can be every bit as qualified for bureaucratic positions - provided they have the experience in research/industry/government - the point is that this isn't just any office in the FDA.

I think a veterinarian could be qualified to lead, for example, the Office of Planning, or the Office of the Ombudsman, or even to head the FDA overall.

But the Office of Women's Health?



That's clearly just a big FU, destined to elicit a justifiably loud reaction. I love our family vet, but the OWH is a specialized office within FDA that deals with an area of medicine that is outside a vet's general areas of expertise. And let's not forget, this wasn't just any veterinarian we're talking about - this was a MALE veterinarian.

Vets are certainly qualified for these types of jobs, but probably not the best fit for this particular job. A Toigo appointment is clearly, at least at face value, far less controversial.

edit: and I agree with mac56 below that the larger issue is the cronyism that would even lead to such an appointment.

[Mairead]

150. Toigo is "less controversial"? Why? She's a BPharm!

She's not any sort of physician--she's a chemist.

[I Have A Dream]

135. I agree with you about having the qualifications for the job. However,...

it just feels like another slap in the face from this administration to me. Honestly, I probably wouldn't be nearly as upset if this had been done during the Clinton Administration because I feel as though I could trust it to use science to make its decisions. Because I trust nothing that the B* Administration does, I see it as yet another example of a lack of respect for me as a woman.

I understand that I'm not being consistent, but it's an emotional reaction.

[DarleenMB]

87. and one last thing

I graduated from Colorado State University which has one of the finest Vet Med programs in the country. I do NOT recall VM students having to endure 4 years of residency in a (human) hospital nor was I aware they were required to take human physiology or any other courses related to human medicine.

4 years to a BS

4 years to a Vet Med degree

go practice.

Did I get THAT wrong.

Now. Could you come down off your high horse and act like the caring Vet I'm sure you must be and stop with the vitriol? You are a member of a well respected profession. No one doubts that or even called it into question.

The POINT is, as a HUMAN WOMAN, I do not want a MAN or a VETERINARIAN calling the shots for my health care. I think I have the right to voice that opinion.

[kestrel91316]

97. When did I say you couldn't express your opinion?

That's right. I DIDN'T.

My complaint here is the level of vitriol against MY PROFESSION, which is every bit as respectable as human medicine, and probably more so.

Get your personal medical care from a physician. But DO NOT PRESUME to exclude other medical professionals from this position in government. Where were you folks when the HEAD OF THE FDA was appointed? He's a vet, too. Is he completely unqualified? I find the comparison in this thread to Michael Brown to be especially insulting, unwarranted, and completely ignorant. I expect better of DU.

[mac56]

103. I think we're all missing the point here.

Bush and his cronies didn't appoint this guy to head Women's Health at the FDA because of his knowledge of health care.

They did it out of insensitivity, laziness, and cronyism. The way they appointed a horse show judge to head FEMA.

I think we've gone off on a tangent here that misses the whole point of why this is an outrage.

Peace.

[Mairead]

151. "I do not want a MAN or a VETERINARIAN calling the shots"

But a female pharmacist is okay? A pharm is a chemist, which is a good bit further away from MD than a VMD is. Pharms generally have a BS or BPharm degree that they get with 4 or 5 years of undergrad study.

[nonconformist]

116. A doctor of VETERINARY medicine.

I don't want a dermatologist performing open heart surgery on me, and I don't want a veterinarian giving me a pap smear. All are doctors, but are trained in different specialties (and species, for that matter).

[FlaGranny]

90. I have to agree with your

defense of veterinarians. I have heard for many years that it is harder to get into veterinary school than medical school. Many physicians are not as knowledgable because they have specialized in one body part or another. They do have it easier because most of their patient's CAN tell them what is wrong (pediatricians, neurologists, and gerontologists sometimes excluded).

I know this about veterinarians, but I was still amazed that the Bush administration appointed a male veterinarian to oversee human female health. The reason I am amazed they did it is because of the predictable reaction - you've seen it right here. As a woman, it makes me feel that they think we are no better than animals. Then, again, we (male and female) are no better than animals. We ARE animals. Oh well, what can I say?

Edit: I STILL would go to my physician rather than a veterinarian, though.

[Ilsa]

145. My OB/GYN wanted to be a vet originally but couldn't get into vet

school so he settled for being an OB.

Just the same, I wouldn't want a vet doing my assessment, or my OB taking care of my animals.

There is no need for anyone to smear vets here.

[lukasahero]

94. Who do you go to for your medical care?

A vet or a doctor?

[bloom]

140. For your information - YOU are making Vets sound like idiots

with your idiotic ranting.

People don't have anything against vets. As long as vets can acknowledge what they are trained for and don't expect to be experts on women's health when they are not.

I could argue that I as a woman artist could make better decisions on women's health than anyone that Bush has in there - but that is really beside the point.

[Holly_Hobby]

60. I would much rather

have my dog's Vet as my attending physician than the out of touch arrogant asshole I have now.

[LeahD]

71. Doesn't take long for things to get out of control around here.

See post #18


Theresa A. Toigo Is Appointed Acting Director of FDA's Office of Women's
Health

link...

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2005/toigoOWH.html

[mrdmk]

136. Theresa A. Toigo is the Acting Director of FDA's Office of Women's

Health. Cool, lets look at this again.

from FDA website
<snip>
Ms. Toigo received her pharmacy (BS) and business (MBA) degrees from Rutgers University.
<end of snip>

Um, Um the Pharmacist I know went to school for six years and have a wonderful knowledge of drugs. The MBA Degree goes without saying. In conclusion, this sounds corporate to me. Um, just thin-kin'.

[Warren DeMontague]

80. Edit: Delete

Guess its not true. Sure sounds like it should be, though.

[OneBlueSky]

81. I do some work for a battered women's shelter . . .

when our director hears about this, she's going to go batshit . . . as will anyone concerned with women and gender equality . . . absolutely infuriating . . .

[MaineDem]

86. Important: FDA changed its mind

* A few hours after the Food and Drug Administration posted on its Web site an announcement naming Dr. Norris E. Alderson, an expert in animal science, acting director of the Office of Women’s Health, the posting was replaced with an announcement naming Theresa A. Toigo to the post. The new new director is a career employee with a strong backgound in cancer and HIV/AIDS.


http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/2454/context/outrage

[atommom]

89. Thanks for the update! Sometimes even the feds can show a

glimmer of sanity...

[Misunderestimator]

91. Well, geez, I guess they DID have qualified person for the job.

Unbelievable that a male veterinarian would even be CONSIDERED for this position.

[Mairead]

153. Why would a pharmacist be more qualified than a vet? They're chemists(nt)

[Lone_Star_Dem]

98. I just now saw this post

Thank goodness.

[mac56]

105. Close, but still not enough.

Why not just appoint an actual OB/GYN, for crissake?

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

109. Thank goodness. nt

[elehhhhna]

131. Now they fire 'em before they even START. Good job, Drownie!

lol

[whatelseisnew]

92. This site hasnt been updated yet

http://www.4woman.gov/owh/dhhs.htm

Membership of the HHS Coordinating Committee on Women's Health

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Dr. Norris Alderson
Acting Director, Office of Women's Health
Associate Commissioner for Science
Food and Drug Administration
Parklawn Building, Room 14C06
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
301-827-3340 phone
301-827-3042 fax
E-mail: [e-mail]
...
Current as of September 2005

(spell edit)

[Lone_Star_Dem]

96. They can't be serious

I'd like to know what this man knows about:

The difference in women's and men's heart health.

The pros and cons of hormone replacement therapy.

Bone loss issues in relation to women's health; the benefits of soy for said issues.

Ovarian cancer.

Cervical cancer.

Breast cancer.

Alcohol use in relation women's health.

Genetics in relation to women's health.

Autoimmune diseases in relation to women's health.

Depression during and after pregnancy.

Minority women's health issues.

Mammograms

Fibromyalgia

Lupus

Birth control Methods in relation to women's health.

Uterine cancer.

Migraine headaches.

Premenstrual Syndrome.


These are just a few (off the top of my head) of the issues surrounding womens health that this man is not qualified to address.

I am not an animal and, with all due respect to veterinarians, I don't want a veterinarian dealing with my complicated health issues.

:grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr:

[Seansky]

99. When I see I have seen it all...they keep

proving me wrong. Is there a genetic problem with these people's common sense? Oh, forget, they were born w/o conscience.

[oxbow]

101. After Brownie's shameful romp in FEMA, I would have expected more from 'em

You know, we could always MEDIA BLITZ this, point out the cronyism and disregard for women inherent in this appointment. We could burn this appointment to the ground if we wanted. I know there are greater issues to deal with, but it would be so easy to kill this

[Paradise]

102. you've got to admit, * surely knows how to send a message...

btw, i love veterinarians and animals.

[Dervill Crow]

107. That position should be held by a woman. Duh!!

I have to say, though, that it might be a good thing for * et al to listen to a veterinarian's point of view on reproductive rights for women. I've never had a vet tell me that instead of spaying or neutering my pets I should leave the decision up to God.

[stubtoe]

108. this will come in handy...

when I have my next litter

[Mairead]

112. Whatever else, I doubt he's a vet--vets are DVM or VMD, not PhD

Or at least I've never heard of a vet whose medical credential is PhD.

He's more likely to be a biologist.

Not that that makes it better. If I were in dire need of med care, I'd sooner be treated by a DVM than a PhD.

[CottonBear]

148. Many vets have 4 degrees: BS, DVM, Masters & PhD in Veterinary Medicine.

These degrees are required in order to obtain a postion as a research professor or scientist.

My good friend just retired from a 35 year tenured position as a Medical Microbiology/Immunology professor at a veterinary medicine school at a major US public university.

Many Infectious Disease research vets work for Universities, the CDC, the armed services and the NIH on projects studying infectious disease, vaccine development and production. Many "people" vaccines are produced from serum from immunized horses. Horses are large animals which can produce huge quantities of serum.

He obtained a bachelor in animal science, a DVM at second university and both a masters and a PhD in Veterinary Medicine at a third major research university. Veterinary Professors and veterinary researchers hold PhD in their particular areas of study. For instance: infectious diseases (medical microbiology, parasitology, and immunology) and animal behavior among many other fields.

Veterinary Medicine Schools offer many degree programs in addition to the well-known DVM programs.

[Mairead]

149. Yes, the same is true of MDs and DDSs. But typically when someone has

both professional and academic doctorates, it's the professional one that'll be cited. So when someone has an academic doc cited, I take it as read that they're a researcher and not qualified for clinical practice.

[despairing optimist]

114. What's the problem? He's Barbara Bush's personal physician after all

Once Mister Ed moved into the White House stables, he taught him NOT to talk. A truly gifted doctor. Everybody's just jealous.:evilgrin:

[rzemanfl]

120. This is carrying the pussy thing just way too far....

[MaineDem]

122. Ewwww

:(

[President Kerry]

127. give the guy a break..

all the OB/GYN's are out there practicing their love of American women.. According to our illustrious Commander-in-thief anyway. :D

[JABBS]

128. Go to the FDA web site

There's a press release from 9/16 saying that they have appointed Theresa Toigo acting director.

[Callisto]

133. Ok no more screwing then

Is she a MD or is she a gardener or a horse trainer or what?

I'm sick of guys telling me what to do with my damned body- no more fucking ever!Give me a hot and sexy progressive male that's taller than me - smart, funny and won't tell me what to do with my body!

[shaniqua6392]

130. Moooooooo! Baaaaaaa! Oink Oink!!

Cluck Cluck...Ruff Ruff. Sorry, I was just practicing! And BTW, why was this not in the mainstream media?? Close your legs and never open them again? I do not know what to tell my daughters anymore. I would almost be happier if they became lesbians and then I would not have to worry. Fuck men who think they are in charge of our bodies. They should not even be able to vote on this issue. We should not let them.

[Ms. Toad]

137. Try here for a government link

Confirming the above:

http://www.4woman.gov/owh/dhhs.htm

scroll down for:

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Dr. Norris Alderson
Acting Director, Office of Women's Health
Associate Commissioner for Science
Food and Drug Administration
Parklawn Building, Room 14C06
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
301-827-3340 phone
301-827-3042 fax
E-mail: [e-mail]

Perhaps the FDA changed its mind, but some of the evidence remains.

[ecoflame]

139. Here's an update from Solon

The Bush administration's love affair with animals

We're not saying there's a connection here, but we're not saying there isn't, either.

Remember how George W. Bush selected as his FEMA director a man whose last job involved judging horse shows for the International Arabian Horse Association? Well, the president's Food and Drug Administration commissioner has appointed an acting director for the Office of Women's Health, and he's a man -- a man! -- who has spent much of his career working in the field of veterinary medicine.

The FDA had an opening to fill in the Office of Women's Health because its last director, Susan Wood, quit in protest over the agency's dithering and delays on the morning-after pill. Wood's acting replacement is Norris Alderson. Alderson has a bachelor's degree in animal husbandry from the University of Tennessee and graduate degrees from the University of Kentucky. He has worked at the FDA for more than 30 years, more than 20 of which he spent in the agency's Bureau of Veterinary Medicine.

Karen Pearl, the interim president of Planned Parenthood, said that Alderson's appointment "speaks volumes about the priority the Bush administration places on women's health and safety."

It does, all right, and not just in the language that Doctor Doolittle understands.

Update: Shortly after we posted this item, which was based on a press release from Planned Parenthood, a reader alerted us to a press release that was posted today on the FDA's Web site. In that release, the FDA said that Theresa A. Toigo has been appointed as the acting director of the Office of Women's Health. The FDA press release also says, rather cryptically, "This is a revision of this statement posted earlier on September 16." That earlier statement is no longer available on the FDA's site, but, as another reader pointed out, a cached version is still available through Google. Under the heading, "Dr. Norris Alderson -- Acting Director of FDA's Office of Women's Health," Alderson's bio says, "The majority of his FDA career has been in the Center for Veterinary Medicine, holding a number of management positions, culminating in the position of Director, Office of Research." Did the FDA scramble to change acting directors once it realized that Alderson's appointment might invite unhappy comparisons to Michael Brown's tenure at FEMA? Inquiring minds want to know, and are still waiting for calls back to find out.

Permalink <15:30 EDT, Sept. 16, 2005>

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/index.html?blog=/politics/war_room/2005/09/16/animals/index.html

[OregonBlue]

141. self delete

[autorank]

143. Great point RoseSiding...why does *co hate women?

This made me think,

"Wait a minute, auto, they just got screwed for appointing a horse association executive as FEMA director. Why would they do something as stupid as this a few days after they fired the guy?"

hmmm...thinking...thinking...thinking...GOT IT!

They don't care becasue they don't have to.
They are guaranteed to win every election and retain power as long as they like.
They control to voting and vote counting process (80% of votes tabulated/counted by right wing Republican firms)...
...but, oh, can't say that, it means I'm a "conspniracy" theorist.

Well, this behavior and those facts are no "coincidence" and if anyone thinks the "tin ear" and the public pilferage is stupidity, think again or proclaim your faith in "coincidence."

[OzarkDem]

144. Our state abolished the entire department

Women's health now ranks waaaaay behind the pets and livestock.